United States: The authorities of some towns in the South Shore are asking their residents to prepare for a dangerous virus transmitted by mosquitoes, commonly known as Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE).
More about the news
The highly fatal disease, though a very rare disease, was confirmed in mosquito samples picked from different townships in the last few days, as stated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).
The EEE risk level in Carver and Middleborough is now considered “high” by DPH. Bridgewater Lakeville and Rochester have come to a moderate level of EEE risk.
State officials initially found EEE-positive mosquitoes beginning in early July in Carver, as boston.com reported.
What more are the authorities stating?
This article portrays horses and their owners as at the peril of developing EEE. The horses, as per the DPH recommendations, must be kept indoors, especially at night, to reduce mosquito exposure; some diseases transmitted through mosquito bites are said to have a cure; hence, the horses are encouraged to seek immunization.
According to Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, “Everyone should take the recommended steps to prevent mosquito bites,” boston.com reported.
He advises residents in “high-risk areas” to apply mosquito repellent every time they are outside and avoid activities in the evening or in the morning when mosquitoes are most active.
Moreover, as per State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown, “The mosquitoes that are most likely to spread EEE are most active between the hours of dusk and dawn.”
“They are also more active during hot and humid weather. We all want to enjoy this last month of summer but also want people to take steps to be safe from mosquitoes,” he continued.
Massachusetts authorities confirmed 12 human cases of EEE in the year 2019, and six of the infected persons died. Five people were infected together, with one fatality recorded in 2020, with no recorded cases from 2021 to 2023.